Pubdate: Thu, 13 Mar 2014
Source: Kelowna Capital News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2014, West Partners Publishing Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.kelownacapnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1294
Author: Wade Paterson

BUSINESSMAN DEBUNKS MYTHS ABOUT MEDICAL POT

The District of West Kelowna is progressing with its plans to have 
medical marijuana production limited to industrial lands.

Council gave third reading to the zoning amendment bylaw in a six to 
one vote Tuesday. If the bylaw is passed, commercial medical 
marijuana operations would be prohibited on agricultural land and in 
multi-unit buildings, unless all tenants are growers.

However, the bylaw gives two site specific text amendments for a pair 
of multi-unit properties-1352 Industrial Rd. and 2322 Dominion 
Rd.-that have in stream applications with Health Canada.

Trent Kitsch, the owner of two buildings at 2322 Dominion Road, spoke 
to council at the public hearing Tuesday.

"I've been to a number of council meetings, and the number one driver 
for our community is often referred to as economic development," said Kitsch.

"I think this is a prime example and an opportunity for the District 
of West Kelowna to have a part of our community thrive in economic 
development."

Kitsch said medical marijuana production has been misconceived as "an 
illegal or shady business," even though it's legal and endorsed by 
Health Canada.

"I recognize, as an entrepreneur, (it's) just an economic opportunity."

He added his property at 2322 Dominion Rd. has been producing medical 
marijuana for almost two years.

"It's been under the watchful eye of inspections. We've worked with 
Westside Fire Rescue, we've worked with District of West Kelowna 
bylaw's building permitting staff.

"It's a pharmaceutical business, it's going to be quality-assured, 
logged-in, logged-out, 24-hour surveillance...so it's a very 
professionally run organization."

If the district gives final reading to the bylaw as it currently 
stands, Kitsch plans to purchase the building at 1352 Industrial 
Road, which he said currently sits vacant, unoccupied and for sale.

"We'll be tenanted, we'll be invested upon, we'll create jobs, we'll 
create tax revenues."

The only councillor to vote against the zoning amendment bylaw 
Tuesday was Coun. Rick de Jong. In a previous council meeting, he 
argued the district may lose out on tax revenue by limiting 
commercial medical marijuana production to industrial land.

Coun. Duane Ophus said it was important to move forward with the bylaw.

"I think it's really important that we get whatever regulation of 
this issue that we can in place as quickly as possible...whether we 
completely like it or not. And I don't completely like it," said Ophus.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom